Snooker star admits he's struggling to cope amid £230k do-or-die clash

19 February 2023 , 14:47

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If Robert Milkins wins the Welsh Open, he will earn £80,000 in prize money plus an additional £150,000 for topping the BetVictor Series rankings (Image: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Snooker star Robert Milkins could bank a whopping £230,000 if he beats Shaun Murphy in the Welsh Open final.

Whoever wins the tournament will earn £80,000 in prize money, but Milkins could win an additional £150,000 as victory over Murphy would see him top the BetVictor Series rankings and win their bonus.

The series has spanned eight events since last July and should Milkins lose, Ali Carter will get the £150,000 bonus. Speaking after he defeated Tian Pengfei in the semi-finals of the Welsh Open, Milkins admitted he is unsure "how I'm going to cope" heading into the final.

"It's massive, the biggest game of my life," he told the BBC. "I don't know how I'm going to cope. It would be enough just playing for the title, let alone everything that goes with it.

"I don't know if I'll be able to stand up, but I might rise to the occasion." In a separate interview with Eurosport, Milkins added: "I don't know how I'm going to feel tomorrow, playing for the money as well, I won't be able to stand up.

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"It's been in my head for a couple of days anyway. I've come from nowhere really, I wasn't in the running but Ali lost quite early in this.

Milkins is set to take on Shaun Murphy in the Welsh Open final (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

"I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing, it's tough enough to try and win the final but now I've got that as well, it's going to be difficult. But sometimes when you've got so much pressure on, you can play alright."

While Murphy may be out of the running for the £150,000, he is hoping to win his first ranking event since the 2020 Welsh Open. "Robert's obviously having the best year of his life, the current Gibraltar Open champion, into the final," Murphy said.

"I saw his after-match comments sat in this chair earlier, I hope Rob doesn't sleep a wink thinking about what's on the line, so I hope he can't sleep at all. In all seriousness, there's obviously a lot on the line for Robert Milkins tomorrow, and it's my job to try and make that as difficult as I possibly can."

Matthew Cooper